A 4-0 defeat to Sky Bet League 1 side Fleetwood Town saw Leicester City's Development Squad exit the Bristol Street Motors Trophy at the group stage on Tuesday evening.
Having beaten fourth tier Tranmere Rovers 1-0 in their second group game, following defeat to Wigan Athletic on matchday one, the Foxes youngsters knew that a win over the Cod Army at Highbury Stadium would secure qualification into the knockout stages as Group D runners-up.
But after a strong start from the side coached by Ben Petty, up against senior opposition, it was the hosts who took control of proceedings courtesy of two first half goals from captain Ryan Broom.
The first coming straight from a corner, before the midfielder chipped the ball over Brad Young to double the advantage ahead of the break.
Will Alves continued his recovery from an ACL injury by playing the opening half in Lancashire, a positive note on a testing night for City's Under-21s, who brought on Kian Pennant and Bobby Amartey in an attempt to get back into the game.
Will Johnson then added a third for Lee Johnson's side when his cross deflected into the net just four minutes into the second period. Ryan Graydon's strike completed the scoring five minutes from time, confirming Town's position at the top of the group, having collected seven points from their three matches. Leicester, meanwhile, finish their campaign on three points.
Attention turns to another cup competition on Friday night, as the young Foxes travel to face Brentford at Wheatsheaf Park in the final fixture of the Premier League Cup group stage (7pm GMT kick-off).
The details
City: Young; Cover, Nelson (c), Godsmark-Ford, Ali; Raikhy, Cartwright (Popov 66'), Alves (Amartey 46'); Richards (Pennant 46'), Marçal, Thomas.
Subs not used: Doherty, Grist, Hill, Popov.
